MFGRC Will Resume Year-End Dog Awards for 2021

Andy Hall Awards, MFGRC Awards

After taking a year off due to the high number of canceled events related to the pandemic in 2020, the Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club will resume its year-end dog awards in 2021 with some changes, including splitting a previous category into two separate awards.

With the previous Field Dog of the Year award split into Field and Hunt categories, the MFGRC is offering the following awards for 2021:

Agility Dog of the Year

Field Dog of the Year

Hunt Dog of the Year

Obedience Dog of the Year

Rally Dog of the Year

Show Dog of the Year (Conformation)

Tracking Dog of the Year

Versatility Award (calculated by adding points from at least three separate categories)

Recipients of all awards listed above receive custom car magnets created by K9 Designs and presented by MFGRC. In addition, the recipient of Show Dog of the Year receives a special award of a perpetual trophy donated by Wonderland’s Golden Retrievers.

Additional MFGRC year-end dog awards for 2021:

Fallchase Owner-Handler Award – recognizing the club’s top owner-handler in conformation with a perpetual award donated by Fallchase Kennels.

Gold Standard Challenge — awarded to the owner handler accumulating the highest points in breed shows and field events during the awards year, with award donated by MFGRC member Kristin Sipus.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Dogs MUST reside with the person making the application.
  • To be eligible for any official MFGRC award, member MUST have attended one club general meeting and volunteered at two club functions during the awards period (or performed the equivalent work behind-the-scenes, subject to approval and verification).
  • Information must be included on the entry form about meetings attended and club work performed (all subject to verification).

The awards competition application will be made available later in the year, with the deadline for applications set for Nov. 30. Awards will be announced and presented at the MFGRC’s annual Christmas party on Dec. 18.

Goldens with MFGRC Ties Finish 2020 Ranked First, Second in AKC Standings

Andy Hall Conformation

Two Golden Retrievers with ties to the MFGRC finished 2020 ranked first and second in the AKC’s final rankings for Goldens, with a third dog tied to the club finishing eighth.

The No. 1 Golden in the country based on the AKC point system was Hollywood (GCHS CH Can CH GoldRox Time for a Star SDHF BISS, pictured), a bitch owned and bred by MFGRC member Maura Roxby, also owned by Joy Long and David Long.

The No. 2 Golden in the country for 2020 was Geode (BISS GCHS CH Prism’s All About That Rock, No Pebble), a dog bred by MFGRC member Robin Bowen and owned by Teri Ford.

Also, MFGRC member Julie Wangelin’s boy Ditto (MBISS GCHS CH Questan’s RegeneRACEshun MBISS RI DSX DM BN RATN CGC TKI ), the MFGRC’s Show Dog of the Year for 2019, finished the year in eighth place. Ditto was bred by Julie, Suzann Painter and Nancy Sherick.

Hollywood and Geode were ranked Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, in the AKC’s All-Breed standings for 2020.  

Arson (BIS GCHB GoldRox SunnyDreams Fire Starter MBISS SDHF), owned by MFGRC members Maura Roxby and Courtney Roxby, ended the year ranked 13th.

MFGRC Confirms Officers and Board for 2021

Andy Hall Informational

The Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club has held its annual election for officers and board members, with voting ending on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. ET. The 2021 officers and board are as follows: 

Officers: 
President – Ann Rowe 
Vice President – Robin Burket 
Secretary – Andy Hall 
Treasurer – Dee Thibodeaux 

Returning board members: 
Marilyn Booher 
Pam Ginn 
Ted Misilo 
Michele Throm 

New board members for 2021: 
John Blair 
Caroline Kendrick 
Laura Topping 

The new slate officers and board members is effective immediately. 

Sponsorships Available for MFGRC Specialty Trophies

Andy Hall Specialty

Hello Fellow MFGRC Members,

This year has been an especially difficult year in so many ways for all of us.  I hope you have fared well and that you and your families have stayed safe during these trying times.

Our annual specialty will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 in the Orange County Convention Center.  AKC, in conjunction with the Convention Center, have put in place certain restrictions. In the interest of keeping everyone safe only handlers and show personnel will be allowed entrance to the center.  Please see the premium list for more information.

This letter is my annual request for club members to sponsor the trophies.  This year our trophies include some absolutely necessary dog show supplies including totes, towels, brushes, some lovely glass items and the most essential item of all wine tumblers. 

We understand that for many this year has been pretty rough but we hope that you will be able to sponsor one of these wonderful trophies. Please see the sponsorship list for information. 

Along with your sponsorship checks please include the award you wish to sponsor and how you would like the trophy card to read.  You can sponsor a trophy in “ Honor of” a beloved dog or a loved one who has passed.  If you would like to support our specialty but not sponsor an individual trophy you may donate to the General Fund.  All additional donations will help to defray the cost or our specialty.

Please make checks payable to MFGRC and mail to Camille Nasca, 4008 Bradley Ave., Orlando, FL 32839.  If you have any questions please contact me at mischiefgolden@gmail.com.

As always, I, along with Show Chair Caroline Kendrick, appreciate your support of our annual specialty.

Camille Nasca

MFGRC Cancels Winter Hunt Test

Andy Hall Hunt Test

The Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club has canceled its annual Winter Hunt Test that was to have been held Nov. 13-15 at Golden Oaks Ranch in Montverde, Fla.

The cancellation is due to ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic including availability of the number of judges needed to conduct the test and the unavailability of volunteer and college workers to adequately and safely run the test.

The MFGRC Spring Hunt Test in Montverde is scheduled for Feb. 13-14.